Consider this a retroactive post (since it is).
If by some odd chance you find this blog. Whoever you might be. And if by some odd chance you are entertaining the idea of throwing your entire life to the wind and joining a conservation corps (which is what I did). Then trust in the knowledge that you are making an incredible choice.
It sounds silly and nostalgic, but the MCC will be that one story that I tell my grandchildren about over and over and over again. About that one hot summer, when I hiked up and down mountains (and even through snow!) to work each day. About back in ol 2008, when I decided to buy a tent and some boots, and head westward. About hard earned work, and genuine fulfillment.
We were protected by darkness so thick we couldn't see our hands in front of us, veiled by canopy so dense no raindrop could touch us, invigorated by sights so enormously beautiful, that no one could tell us there were no beautiful places left on this earth.
And so it was, in the summer in 2008, when our economy swiftly soured, and the presidential baton was being passed, that we carried on in a world unto itself. Dutifully in the woods we worked, enamored with the world we lived in, feeling so beautifully unscathed by constant tug of civilization, and feeling so engrossed in the boundless majesty of nature.
I hope you get that chance. Whoever you may be. To be so free.
2 comments:
I've been looking at the MCC for a bit now, I think it would be fantastic, and I am working on my application...
That being stated, out of all the questions I have, I must ask an awkward question:
What are the [u]worst[/u] aspects of the MCC, from a crew members perspective.
James. I'm unsure how to contact you, other than through blogger, so hopefully you'll check in and get a (belated!) answer to your question.
There are certainly difficulties in any career that you choose. MCC is obviously no different. And I can appreciate your question. I certainly asked it of myself.
For me what was most difficult about the MCC was being unable to control how physically comfortable I was. On our last hitch in Oct. it was 80 degrees for 3 days, and about 30 for 7. It rained on us for 5, and snowed on us for 2. It was miserable. It was the worst.
On another hitch we had to pull a 1 ton bridge out of a ravine using tools no one necessarily knew how to work with doing a project no one had ever done. It was aggravating. It was frustrating. It was the worst.
I might argue though that there is value in over coming the "worst." The bridge became a huge success and something we were immensely proud of. And the work we did on that horribly rainy hitch ended up being highly praised.
There is something so tangible in being able to overcome obstacles in the MCC.
So while there are certainly bad parts, the good outshine them in spades.
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